Work has started on a new school hailed as an 'investment' in the city's future. Bluecoat Trent Academy, which is due to open in September 2024, is currently under construction where Nottingham College's now demolished former Clarendon campus stood on Pelham Avenue, near Carrington.
The 1,200 place secondary school will include a teaching block with an adjoined sports hall, catering and dining facilities, the planting of new trees, games court areas and external learning space. There will also be student bicycle, visitor and staff car parking, servicing zone bin store and secure boundary fencing.
Locals said they were pleased to see the old college building make way for the new school. Terry Allen, 33, who lives in Carrington and works in hospitality, said: "I have noticed that there isn't a lot for people in this area - there's not a lot of schools. It will make it a lot easier for families around here to send their kids to school, it is right off a main road as well.
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"It's a great place for a new school because there's a lot of houses nearby and for the kids you have a big park [Forest Recreation Ground] nearby as well.
Kyle French, 23, and Toni Bryan, 21, who used to live in Carrington, also endorsed the project. "It was really about time they replaced the college, it was falling apart," Mr French said.
"There's not many places to go to school in the city, I can see why they would need more places." Ms Bryan added: "It is a good investment for the future. It is a good thing for the area."
Bowmer + Kirkland, who are constructing the new school, recently hosted a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the start of Bluecoat Trent Academy. They were joined by members of Nottingham City Council, members of the Department for Education as well as Archway Learning Trust staff and members of Gleeds construction consultancy.
Claire McManus, Bluecoat Trent Academy Principal, said: "It was fantastic to attend the recent ground-breaking ceremony at what will be our permanent site.
"We have loved being involved in the planning process for the building to date so to have the chance to visualise the school in situ was a really exciting moment. We are now looking forward to the students engaging with the project as we prepare to move in September 2024."
A total of £30m will be invested Bluecoat Trent Academy, which includes more than £5 million of council grants. Tom Jolley, Associate Director for Bowmer and Kirkland said: "We are delighted to have been appointed by the Department for Education to design and deliver Bluecoat Trent Academy for the Archway Learning Trust. It is really exciting to be part of the process that will provide 1200 vitally needed pupil places in the heart of the city, regenerating the site previously occupied by Clarendon College.
"Our building design reduces carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy and a thermally efficient building envelope. Bowmer and Kirkland’s social value team will ensure we support the local economy, and work with the Nottingham City Hub and local colleges to provide employment and training opportunities."
A suspected arson attack was carried out on the old building as it was being demolished in May last year. Complaints were made by local businesses when the demolition works previously impacted their trade and staff.
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